Wattmõõturs

Wattmõõturs, commonly known as a wattmeter, is an instrument used for measuring electrical power in watts. It quantifies the rate at which electrical energy is transferred in a circuit. A basic wattmeter consists of three terminals: one for the current connection and two for the voltage connection. The current coil is connected in series with the load, while the voltage coil is connected in parallel across the load. This arrangement allows the wattmeter to measure both the voltage and current simultaneously and calculate the power.

There are various types of wattmeters, including analog and digital. Analog wattmeters typically use a d'Arsonval movement, where the deflection of a needle indicates the power level. Digital wattmeters, on the other hand, use electronic components to measure voltage and current and display the power reading on a digital screen. These can offer higher precision and additional features like data logging.

Wattmeters are essential tools in electrical engineering, research, and everyday applications. They are used for testing the power consumption of appliances, calibrating power supplies, monitoring energy usage in homes and industries, and troubleshooting electrical systems. Understanding the power flowing through a circuit is crucial for efficiency, safety, and proper system design, making the wattmeter an indispensable device.